SUZUKA, Japan — Max Verstappen escalated tensions ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, demanding a British journalist be removed from his press conference. The incident stems from a question posed at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion refused to start his media session until The Guardian’s Giles Richards left the hospitality area, stating firmly, “I’m not speaking before he’s leaving” and directly telling Richards to “get out.”
Verstappen confirmed the demand was directly linked to a question Richards asked following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a moment that subsequently gained widespread attention online.
The original question referenced Verstappen’s 10-second penalty at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix for colliding with George Russell’s car.
That penalty dropped Verstappen from fifth to tenth place, costing him nine crucial championship points in a season where he ultimately finished just two points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in the final standings.
The exchange from four months ago unfolded as follows:
Journalist: “Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points. What do you think now about the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you regret that looking back in hindsight?”
Verstappen: “You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now. I don’t know.”
“Yeah, it’s part of racing at the conclude. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
On Thursday, Verstappen again singled out Richards, requesting his removal from the session after a brief, tense exchange.
Verstappen: “One second, I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.”
Journalist: “Seriously?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “As of the question last year?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “You want me to abandon?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “Just because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi.”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About why you…”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About Spain.”
Verstappen: “Get out.”
Journalist: “You’re really, really that upset about it?”
Verstappen: “Get out. Yeah. Get out.”
After Richards departed, Verstappen stated, “Now People can start.”
ESPN has contacted Richards for comment.
What we have is not the first time Verstappen has clashed with the media, particularly British journalists.
In 2018, Verstappen threatened to “headbutt someone” after repeated questioning about his reputation for on-track incidents. In 2022, he boycotted Sky Sports F1 coverage in Mexico, citing “disrespectful” reporting – specifically targeting one reporter. That followed comments from Ted Kravitz suggesting Lewis Hamilton had been “robbed” of the 2021 title in a controversial Abu Dhabi finish.
Following his fourth world title win in Qatar in 2024 – after a hard-fought season with Lando Norris – Verstappen remarked, “The problem in F1 is that 80 to 85% of the media is British.”
“And I did feel that some things which were written about me were not fair.”
